Surfers enjoy larger waves kicked up by Tropical Storm Don

CORPUS CHRISTI - While city crews gathered lifeguard stands and garbage cans from the beach in preparation for Tropical Storm Don, some residents spent Friday enjoying waves kicked up by the storm.

Tripp Howse brought his daughter, Kaitlin and her friend Callie Brown, both 11, to Bob Hall Pier in Padre Balli Park to surf before Don made its way to the coast. Howse, who had been surfing since about 10 a.m., said waves had risen about 3 to 4 feet by about 2 p.m. Friday.

"It's usually flat in the summer doldrums," said Howse, who has surfed for more than 30 years.

But Howse said he bought some extra food and put gas in his vehicle just in case Don decided to take a turn for the worse.

"When you live on the coast you need to be ready at all times," he said.

Bill Fintel planned to spend the night Friday in his restaurant at Bob Hall Pier.

Fintel, owner of Barnacle Bill's Pier House and Grill, wanted to make sure his business didn't have any leaks or other minor damages during the first storm to make landfall in the 2011 hurricane season.

Fintel said restaurant workers were putting computer equipment and registers on high ground and covering electrical equipment on walls. The garage doors that cover the dining area are programmed to open when winds reach 60 mph to avoid them being blown off, Fintel said.

Tropical Storm Don was expected to make landfall in deep South Texas late Friday night with sustained winds of 50 mph and gusts up to 65 mph.

Fintel called the mild tropical storm a blessing because it raised residents' awareness of the hurricane season.